Ultrasound of oral and masticatory muscles: Why every neuromuscular swallow team should have an ultrasound machine

Abstract

Patients with neuromuscular disorders often present with swallowing difficulties due to oral phase problems and pharyngeal residue after swallow. It is important to assess the underlying pathology and cause of the swallowing disturbance in this patient group, such as dystrophic changes in oral and masticatory muscles. This allows for more patient-tailored recommendations, for example optimal compensation strategies to maintain function for longer. Ultrasound can show structural changes caused by dystrophy or denervation of muscles, detect involuntary movements such as fasciculations, and provide dynamic video images of tongue motion during swallowing attempts. This article, based on the authors' extensive experience with ultrasound in neuromuscular disease, explains the concepts of oral muscle ultrasound and its proven value in assessing neuromuscular mastication and swallowing problems. As a patient-friendly and portable technique, we advocate its use as a standard tool for analyzing neuromuscular dysphagia. Clin. Anat. 30:183-193, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.